Research Progress in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer With Phytoestrogens From Chinese Medicinal Plants

Fengxia DONG; Hongrong FEI; Xueqin HOU; Luyu MA

doi:10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.16899

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Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (4) : 749-757. DOI: 10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.16899

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Research Progress in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer With Phytoestrogens From Chinese Medicinal Plants

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Abstract

Phytoestrogens are a class of natural compounds existing in plants,with their chemical structures similar to that of the endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol in mammals.They can exert estrogenic or anti-estrogenic biological effects by binding to estrogen receptors,and have a wide range of effects on diseases caused by estrogen disorders in the body.Recent studies have discovered that phytoestrogens have significant effects in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.This article reviews the research progress in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer with phytoestrogens from the active components of Chinese medicinal plants,Chinese medicinal plants,and traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas,as well as the related mechanisms. Specifically,the phytoestrogens exert anti-estrogenic effects by binding to estrogen receptors,regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis signaling pathways (such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway,and P53 signaling pathway),inhibit tumor angiogenesis,and modulate metabolism and immune function.The review aims to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research on the prevention and treatment of breast cancer with traditional Chinese medicine.

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phytoestrogen / breast cancer / prevention and treatment / traditional Chinese medicine / mechanism of action

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Fengxia DONG , Hongrong FEI , Xueqin HOU , et al. Research Progress in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer With Phytoestrogens From Chinese Medicinal Plants[J]. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae. 2026, 48(4): 749-757 https://doi.org/10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.16899

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